A Soul in a Bottle

by Tim Powers

A first edition of a 1968 book of poems, with a sonnet that appears in no other copy -- a mysterious girl with a special fountain-pen, who needs a special favor -- and an old woman who warns used-book... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596060751
• ISBN13: 9781596060753
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Subterranean Press
• Length: 83 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Short and Complete

More a short story than anything else. It's a good distillation of Powers' style, but leaves out too much character and background. Good twist, but more for the Powers devotee than a casual reader. Go with his full-length novels to get the best sense of Powers' capability with fantasy.

In homage to the past

Bookseller George Sydney has always, when going down Hollywood Boulevard, liked to stop at Graumann's Chinese Theater. Once there, he places three pennies on the tile of actress Jean Harlow. The day comes when a mysterious girl notices his ritual, and George is immediately smitten. For days he seeks her out; all Sidney knows of the girl is 'I'm shy.' In the meantime, shopping for books, George discvers a volume of poetry written in 1968, whose author later committed suicide. Adding to its value is the poet's rarely seen signature. Finally, we meet a third character, a woman in her seventies, who seems to be watching George and the girl. Powers is a terrific storyteller, with an evocative style that quickly enfolds the reader. This story held a gothic feel for me. At its end, you are left wondering to whose soul the title is referring. Each day brings choices; we can only pray the ones we make do not cost more than the value of what is gained. JK Potter's illustrations are a perfect match for the novella. Potter is always superb. 'He crouched beside Jean Harlow's square and carefuly laid one penny in each of the three round indentations below her incised signature,then wiped his wet fingers on his jacket. The coins wouldn't stay there long, but Sidney always put three fresh ones down whenever he walked past this block of Hollywood Boulevard.'

Classic Tim Powers

Not only does Tim Powers know how to pull off a great novel (see his latest "Three Days to Never"), he is also a master of the short story. And he does ghosts better than any author I've read. Put those two together and you have "A Soul in a Bottle". This is a "haunting" tale of love, revenge... and old books. Nicely done. The Subterranean Press edition is a very fine volume. I've always been pleased with their work.